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Bikram Yoga Can Help with Rheumatoid Arthritis
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NANCY L. LITHGOW, RN, MSW
Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker
Individuals, Couples & Families Mothers & Infants Counseling & Psychotherapy when talking to friends and family isn't enough
202-543-7700 101 6th St., NE and 1616 18th Street, NW
Marjorie Shovlin Licensed Acupuncturist • National Board Certified • Master’s Degree in Acupuncture • Evening and Weekend Hours Available 620 C Street SE
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Martina Washington Colon Hydrotherapist Colon Hydrotherapy & Aqua Chi Detox System 426 8th Street, SE 2nd Floor Washington, DC 20003 202.544.9595 Ph 202.544.1357 Fx E-mail: carmelvoice@aol.com www.newlifewellnesscenter.com
Ronda Bresnick Hauss Licensed Clinical Social Worker Supporting you in having a healthy & productive life.
Psychotherapy for adults using an integrative & holistic approach: traditional talk therapy, meditation, & creative, non-verbal techniques.
1308 Constitution Ave., N.E. 202.544.5050 www.quietwaterscenter.com 74 ★ HillRag | January 2011
by Kristin Marsh Song
L
ara Atella knows firstsecond week we were hooked hand how wonderfully and even decided to buy year quirky Capitol Hill life memberships.” can be. Lara and her husband, Lara and Ken became Ken Petersen, moved to the Hill regulars and made a host of in 1999 to be close to Union great friends through the Station so she could take the studio – including that spetrain to work in Baltimore. It cial blonde woman, owner was convenient at the time, but Elizabeth Glover. Ever since they did not plan to stay more that fateful meeting, Lara has than a few years. While Ken grown to appreciate the place worked his way through school, Elizabeth and her studio hold Lara held a job as a neurobehavon Capitol Hill. ioral researcher in child develop“Elizabeth is so supment. Her position meant hours portive of the community,” of work behind a computer and Lara says, pointing to the in the lab, in addition to a long studio’s extensive work-study commute. Over time she began program for those who can’t noticing increasingly stiff and afford membership, as well Bikram Yoga. swollen joints. In 2002 she was as the Friday evening classes Photo by Andrew Lightman diagnosed with rheumatoid arthat generate proceeds to lothritis cal charities. About two years later she was pushing her Lara is especially grateful for the help Elizaone-year-old son, Nate, in a stroller down G beth and her studio have given to her and her Street with a friend, and a car stopped in front family. The yoga has brought physical relief to of them. A tall blonde woman climbed out and Lara, helped her husband cope with the stress approached them with a big, friendly smile. of completing his Ph.D., and even provided a The woman asked the surprised pair what learning place for her son. Elizabeth has always they thought about having a Bikram yoga studio allowed Lara to bring her son to the studio. on H Street. Lara didn’t know what “Bikram” In fact, Lara became such a devotee of Biwas and thought H Street was a bit rough at the kram and the studio that she decided to become time, but she said having a yoga studio nearby a professional teacher, enduring the rigorous would be nice. nine-week training session all Bikram teachers The woman said she was looking at some- must undergo to become certified. Her friend, thing around 5th and H streets and seemed the one walking with her on that fateful day, also excited about the prospect of opening up her has become a certified instructor. own business. Lara thought she was gutsy and These days, Lara and her husband are baskencouraged her to go for it. The pleasant conver- ing in their Hill life and the community they’ve sation concluded, and all three women went on found. Their idea of a perfect day always includes with their lives. a trip to Sidamo to see the owners Mimi and Then, in January of 2008, Lara and Ken de- Kenfe and then to the BYCH “hot room.” cided to give Bikram yoga a try. They had fre“Over the past several years we’ve grown quently seen people coming and going from the to love our lives and the community we share Bikram Yoga Capitol Hill while they sat drink- here and are so thankful to those who make it ing coffee at their favorite shop, Sidamo – lo- so meaningful and fun! My son is at an excellent cated across the street – and were curious. school, Brent Elementary in SE, and my hus“Since my husband is a sauna enthusiast, band has an easy bike ride to work in northwest. I though he might like it,” Lara says. “I never I no longer need to commute to work by train; thought I would make it past the first class.” instead I just walk a few minutes down H Street, Class wasn’t easy, but the effects were amaz- grab a perfect cup of coffee and hit the ‘hot room’ ing. “The next day when I woke up, I experi- for an early savasana.” enced one of my first mornings not feeling horribly stiff and uncomfortable,” Lara says. “By our Bikram Yoga Capitol Hill is located at 410 H St. NE. 202547-1208, info@bikramyogacapitolhill.com ★